CSA Weekly Update (03.13.2026)
- Mar 13
- 7 min read
In the March 13th, 2026, edition of the CSA Weekly Update:
New CSA Podcast Episode: Visiting the Pleasant Valley Veterans Retreat with Supervisor Woody Cline
County Managers and Administrators Meet in Phoenix: March CMA Meeting
We Are Counties: Elections, Records, & Services
Arizona’s Property Tax: Balancing Low Burdens with Essential Local Services
From Statehood Forward: County Officers Then and Now
CSA at the Legislature: CSA Testimony
Committee Meetings: March 16 – 19, 2026
Session Timeline: Important Dates and Deadlines
Lifelong Learning: Upcoming NACo Webinars
Arizona Rural Water Working Group Press Conference
This week, La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin and Yavapai County Supervisor Nikki Check, along with other members of the Rural Water Group, met with lawmakers and held a press conference at the Capitol to discuss concerns with HB 2757 and HB 2758, which relate to groundwater transfers from the McMullen Basin. Members of the group expressed concerns that the legislation could allow large-scale water hauling from the basin and emphasized the importance of protecting rural groundwater resources. The Rural Water Group continues to engage with lawmakers on potential solutions for long-term rural groundwater management.
New CSA Podcast Episode: Visiting the Pleasant Valley Veterans Retreat with Supervisor Woody Cline
In this episode, we took our podcast on the road! We were grateful to visit and tour the Pleasant Valley Veterans Retreat in Young, Arizona, a Gila County-led effort to transform a former U.S. Forest Service site in the heart of the Tonto National Forest.
Gila County Supervisor Woody Cline and Executive Assistant Cathy Melvin walk us through the years-long process of working with the U.S. Forest Service and partners across county, state, and federal government, including advancing federal legislation to convey the site to the county, all in pursuit of turning more than 200 acres into a peaceful retreat where veterans can visit, connect, and heal.
To learn more about the retreat, visit their website here
County Managers and Administrators Meet in Phoenix: March CMA Meeting
On March 13th, 2026, the Association hosted its third County Managers meeting of 2026. This meeting included a round-table discussion on several emerging issues affecting counties across the state. Managers discussed the impacts of higher energy users, including data centers, and related concerns about power, water, and permitting processes, as well as the role of state entities involved in energy infrastructure. The group also revisited the procurement study and discussed opportunities to develop pilot projects and explore continued improvements to procurement practices. Additionally, participants discussed the growing use of generative AI in county government and the possibility of conducting a survey to better understand county use and concerns. The meeting concluded with updates from CSA staff on current legislative priorities.
We Are Counties: Elections, Records, & Services
The “We Are Counties" campaign from the National Association of Counties (NACo) is a nationwide effort to spotlight the essential role America’s 3,069 counties play in keeping communities healthy, safe and thriving. From large urban centers to rural communities, counties work alongside state, federal, nonprofit and private partners to deliver critical services right where they matter most, on the ground. The campaign highlights how counties operate, the services they provide and the impact they have across every part of community life.
This week focuses on elections, records, and services. Counties deliver for our communities—promoting economic vitality, safeguarding elections, upholding justice, preserving vital records and investing in the community spaces where we gather, learn and thrive.
For more information, please click here.
Arizona’s Property Tax: Balancing Low Burdens with Essential Local Services
Did you know that Arizona consistently ranks among the lowest in the nation for property tax burden? According to 2023 data from the Tax Foundation, Arizona ranked 48th out of 50 states, demonstrating that while local governments like counties and schools rely on these funds for essential services, they do so at a significantly lower rate than nearly every other state in the country. This low ranking is the result of a robust system of constitutional and statutory protections—such as the 2% annual levy growth limit and a 5% cap on limited property value (LPV) growth—which were designed to ensure transparency and control the rate at which taxes can increase
It is a widely held sentiment that property taxes are rarely popular; but, they remain a fundamental fiscal tool for supporting over $9 billion in services for the communities we call home. In Arizona, these taxes serve as the primary funding source for general county services, historically supporting approximately 40% of all general county operations.
To visualize how property tax collections compare to other key indicators, we invite you to explore our interactive visual below and consult the comprehensive Property Tax Resource Guide.
From Statehood Forward: County Officers Then and Now
On this week’s segment of From Statehood Forward, we are celebrating Arizona’s county officers and highlighting an important milestone from 1964. That year brought key updates to the structure and terms of several county offices originally established when Arizona became a state, helping modernize county government while recognizing the essential role these officials play in serving local communities.
Article 12, Section 3: County Officers; Election; Term of Office
When Arizona adopted its Constitution in 1912, most county officers served two-year terms, reflecting a system designed for frequent elections and closer voter oversight. But as counties grew and the work of county government became more complex, those shorter terms made it harder for officials to plan long-term and see projects through.
In 1964, Arizona voters approved an amendment that extended county officers terms from two to four years. The change helped bring county offices more in line with other state and local positions and gave officials more time to focus on managing county operations and serving their communities.
The amendment also reflected how county government had evolved since statehood. Two offices that were part of the original 1912 Constitution the County Superintendent of Roads and the County Surveyor were removed from the list of county officers by 1964. Over time, those responsibilities had shifted into other departments as counties modernized how they handled roads, infrastructure, and public works.
CSA at the Legislature: CSA Testimony
As the legislative session pushes forward, CSA and county professional staff continue to engage with the Legislature through meetings with members, communicating with staff, and testifying before committees on issues of importance to county governments.
This week, staff testified on the following bills:
Committee Meetings: March 16 – 19, 2026
Please find the full calendar of committees linked here as well as all live proceedings linked here. Committees subject to change.
Monday, March 16th
1:30 PM – Senate Committee on Federalism and Family Law (Agenda, Video)
1:30 PM - Senate Committee on Military and Border Security (Agenda, Video)
2:00 PM – House Committee on Health and Human Services (Agenda, Video)
2:00 PM – House Committee on Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs (Agenda, Video)
2:00 PM - House Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement (Agenda, Video)
Tuesday, March 17th
Wednesday, March 18th
9:00 AM - Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (Agenda, Video)
9:00 AM - Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency (Agenda, Video)
1:30 PM - Senate Committee on Judiciary and Elections (Agenda, Video)
2:00 PM – House Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs and Elections (Agenda, Video)
2:00 PM - House Committee on Science and Technology (Agenda, Video)
2:00 PM – House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (Agenda, Video)
Thursday, March 19th
Session Timeline: Important Dates and Deadlines
Friday, March 13th marks the 61st day of the legislative session, and the clock is still ticking down to the last day for bills to be heard in committee in the second chamber. This deadline has a similar caveat to the first committee deadline, in that appropriations committees will meet in both chambers the week after March 27th and that there will be a slimming of bills still in action.
As the 57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session progresses, the Association will continue to provide updates on important deadlines as they pass. Please find additional deadlines linked here as well as listed below:
Lifelong Learning: Upcoming NACo Webinars
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, March 12
Thursday, March 12, 2026; 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET
Last year's Inside Washington series is now NACo Policy Insider, a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties, as well as deeper dives into specific policy areas, equipping county leaders with insights, context, and strategies to engage effectively on key issues from transportation and infrastructure, to public lands, to health and human services, and more.
To register, click here.
Pre‑Proposal Conference - Online Marketplace RFP CO-2026-0006
Wednesday, March 18, 2026; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST
Join Douglas County, Neb. and NACo’s Public Promise Procurement team for the Preproposal Conference for RFP CO‑2026‑0006 where you can learn about an opportunity to participate in a nationwide Online Marketplace and Fixed‑Price Catalogs Master Agreement. Prospective suppliers, public agency users, and county leaders will gain insights, ask questions, and connect with the team driving this transformative procurement initiative. Don’t miss this powerful kickoff to a national contract opportunity.
This webinar is brought to you by NACo EDGE, establishing people, purchasing, and performance cost-saving solutions that can be applied to counties nationwide. EDGE is owned by NACo, advised by county leaders and 100% focused on solutions for U.S. Counties. Learn more about NACo EDGE here.
To register, click here.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, March 26
Thursday, March 26, 2025; 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET
Last year's Inside Washington series is now NACo Policy Insider, a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties, as well as deeper dives into specific policy areas, equipping county leaders with insights, context, and strategies to engage effectively on key issues from transportation and infrastructure, to public lands, to health and human services, and more.
To register, click here.
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